WAZ Report: Schalke focus shifts to Schwolow in ongoing keeper search
Speculation as to who FC Schalke 04's new #1 shall be continues. The Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung now claims that Rouven Schröder and the Königsblauen are now considering Hertha flop Alexander Schwolow.
Newly promoted FC Schalke 04 remain in the market for a new #1 net minder to guard the sticks in their first year back in the top flight. Twenty-nine-year-old Austrian Martin Fraisl did an admirable job for die Knappen during their recent promotion campaign, yet was not deemed good enough for the Bundesliga level. Rouven Schröder and the Schalke administrative team opted not to renew his expiring contract.
Schalke have been linked with what many consider to be the best available gloveman in German football. German international Stefan Ortega Moreno might be donning royal blue next season. There has nevertheless been no new news on that front since loose rumors surfaced several weeks ago. According to local newspaper WAZ, Schröder and the S04 front office may actually be tending towards former FC Freiburg man Alexander Schwolow.
The 30-year-old Schwolow--an unequivocal transfer bust for the capital city's Charlottenburg side--doesn't appear to have much of a future with Hertha. A spate of injuries almost certainly leaves "die alte Dame" looking to offload their one-time €7 million investment for an adequate recoup. The WAZ reports that Schalke presently engage in talks with Hertha about both a potential loan and outright purchase.